Window shade mechanism



Aug. 25, 1931.

E. REUKAUF, JR

WINDOW SHADE MECHANISM Filed Oct. 51, 1930 wherein the ends of the draw Patented Aug. 25, 1931 a] STATES PATENT OFFICE,

nnwean REUKAUE, a., or rnrrnnsrrnra,rsnnsrrvenm, essrenon TO CAREY- MCFALL (30., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENN$YLVANIA, A CQFPOBATION OE PENNSYL- VANIA wINnow SHADE MECHANISM Application filed October 31,1930. Serial No. 492,595.

This invention relates to window shade .mechanism, and particularly to'the type of mechanism used in automobiles having closed bodies. p

The object of the present invention is to provide means which will eliminate the noise caused by the roller-retaining pawls striking alternately against theroller spindle and the pawl stops, when the pawls are not in engagement with the retaining shoulders on the curtain spindle.

The above condition arises when the curtain has been raised to its maximum high position,

stick of the curtain are in engagement with the roller-supporting brackets, or when the draw stick is wedged between the rolled curtain and the window frame, orwhen the guide cords at the "sides of the curtain, which pass-through guide eyes at the ends of the draw stick, are so taut as toprevent further rotation of the roller,

- under the influence of the roller spring.

- noted, neither of the Usually'two pawls are provided on a curtain roller and these pawls are loosely pivoted for free movement on the roller, to permitone' or the other of the pawls to fall by gravity into contact with a retaining shoulder on the supporting spindle. Whenthe curtain is partly drawn the'one retaining pawl is seated in the spindle groove and against I the retaining shoulder thereby provided, be-

ing held in firm contactwith the retaining shoulder under the influence of the roller spring, which atall times is exerting a force on'the roller tending to wind the curtain upon the roller, thus when the curtain is partly drawn the one pawl is in firm contact with the shoulder and no rattling of the pawl occurs, the other pawl, however, is free to vibrate and rattle. I

When the curtain is fullyra ised, as above pawls is in engagement with the retaining shoulder, consequently they areboth free to rattle, and this rattling creates an undesirable noise within the vehicle when the'vehicle is in motion. I

According to the principles of my invention, I provide anti-rattling means between the pawl stops and the pawls, such anti-rattling means comprising, in the present instance, resilient pads, which hold the inefiective pawl or pawls firmly against the outer surface of the spindle, thereby eliminating the movement of the pawls about their pivots, which consequently eliminates the undesirale rattling noise created by such movement.

Referring to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the roller and its supporting brackets, showing a portion of the roller and, one of the brackets in section;

Fig. 2 is an end view showing the curtain I partly drawn;

. Fig. Sis a sectional elevation taken on the 'line 3 3, Fig. 1, showing the position of the retaining pawls when the curtain is in a partly drawn position, such as illustrated in Fig. 2;

. Fig. at is an end elevation similar to Fig. 2, but showing the curtain in its maximum raised position;

Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation similar to Fig. 3, showing the pawls in the position assumed ,wh'en the curtain is fully raised and the draw of brackets 3, 3 respectively, which are located at the opposite ends of the roller 1. Each of the supporting brackets 3 consists of a hollow substantially semi-spherical head 4-, which is connected by relatively narrow neck 5 to a foot plate 6. The foot plate 6 1s provided with openings 7, 7 which are adapted to receive screws or similar elements by which the said brackets are secured to the window frame, or to the car body at each side of the window.

Secured to one of the supporting brackets spindle 3 is a relatively long spindle 10, which proj ects through the end closure plate 2 into the tubular curtain roller 1 and is co-axially aligned therewith. Secured to the other of the supporting brackets 3 is a relatively short 11, which, like the spindle 10, is coaXially aligned with the roller 1 and projects into said rollerthrough the closure plate 2'. By this means the curtain roller 1 is rotatably mounted on the supporting brackets 3, 3.

In the present instance, the closure plate 2 atone end of the curtain roller 1 is provided with lateral extensions 12, 12, to which one end 13 of a torsion spring 14 is rigidly secured, the opposite end 15 of the said spring beingsecuredto the spindle 1 0 in any suitable manner. V

In the present instance, the diameter of the inner end 15 of the spring-14 is slightly less than thediameter of the adjacent end of the spindlelO, and the said end15 of the spring 14 is forced on to the said end of the spindle 10 and is consequently rigidly secured thereto. v

* -On the outer side of this particular end plate 2, adjacent the outer end of the spindle 10, is pivotally mounted a pair of retaining pawls 20, 20. The pivots 21, 21 of the pawls are in the form of studs projecting laterally from, and are riveted or otherwise secured to,*the said end plate 2.

Each of the pawls 20 is provided with a projection or lip 22. The pawl end 22 of one of the pawls 20 is adapted to project into a retaining notch 23 formed in the'cylindrical surface 25 of the spindle 10, while the end 22 of the other of the said pawls rides on the 7 said cylindrical surface of the spindle 10.

Adjacent the outer end of each of the pawls 20 and rigidly secured to, or formed integral with, the end plate 2' of the roller is a pawl stop 26, which limits the movement of the pawl 20 in a direction away from the spindle 10. V The end plate structure 2 on which the pawls 20, 20 are mounted, consists of an inner disc2 and outer disc 2 and an intermediate disc 2. The lateral extensions 12,

'12 are formed on the intermediate disc 2 andproject through openings tormed in the inner disc 2 The pawl stops 26 are pressed out of the outer plate 2 all as clearly shown in Fig. '6. This end plate structure in the present instance is provided with an annular cap ,27 which secures the elements of the end 7 plate structure together and encloses the retaining pawls '20, 20, which are pivotally mounted on the outer sideof the structure 2. Elhe cap ring 27 is-spun around the peripheries of the plates 2 and 2 (of the end plate structure 2, as illustrated at 28, and terminates at one side of the closure structure 2 in an inwardly extending flange 29 which lies against the inner surface of the ,plate12 and eat the opposite side 0f the ,closure structure 2' the ring 27 flares away from the plate 2 to a plane adjacent the edge of the bracket head 4, to form a casing 30 for enclosing the pawls 20, 20 and the parts co-operating therewith, V r

While one specific construction for the pawl mounting has been described, obviously the pawls and pawl strips may be mountec on a plate enclosed entirely within the roller and the flanges on the ends of the roller eliminated, without departing from-the spirit of the invention.

The curtain roller 1 is adapted to receive the usual form of curtain as, the one end of which is secured to the roller 1 in any desired manner, while the opposite end is provided with a hem m in which is located the draw stick This draw stick may extend beyond the side edges of the curtain a2, consequently when the curtain is raised to the maximumposition illustrated in Fig. 4 the ends of the brackets 3, 3" respectively, the torsion spring 14 tending to rotate the roller 1 and to further wind the curtain on thereon, or the draw stick may have eyes in its opposite ends for the reception of guide cords .eXt-ending downwardly along the sides of the win- .dow to which the curtain is applied, as above noted. V

In the position shownin Fig. v5.neither of he retaining pawls 20 are in engagement with the retaining shoulder form-edby the wail of the notch 23 which is produced in the supporting spindle 10, consequently the said pawls normally would be free to turn about their pivots 21, which when the vehicle to which the curtain is attached is in motion would permit the said pawls to rattle back and forth and alternately strike the pawl -;the pawl 20 therebetween. This tolerance permits of the motion above noted which under ordinary circumstances results in the above ioned rattling and undesirable noise when the vehicle is in motion.

In order toielirninate this undesirable noise,

I have placed hetween the pawl stops 26 and the pawls 20,, anti-rattler elements in the form of resilient pads 31', 31, which, whn: e tip of the projection 22 of the one. paw-l is -riding on [the cylindrical surface 2,5 of the spindle 1Q, bears against the.opposjtelydisposed edge of the pawl and helds the said a cit-the :pawl firmly against thesaid [cylindrical surface, and thereby {prevents free pivotal moa ement of the pawl 20 shout the pivot thereof. By eliminating this l Qtl'QIl the noise resultingv therefrom is accordingly eliminated.

In the present instance the pad 31' comher, or equivalently each ofthepawl stops .26. These resilient pads 31 may be secured to the stops 26in any suitable manner either by the inherent vided' by'making the pads,

friction of the material itself, or by a suitable adhesive placed between the stop and the band, or by riveting or by otherwiseforming a retaining flange on the outer end of" the stop by which thesaid band would be:prevented from moving off the stop to'which it is applied. h l

Obviously in place of the rubber lug 31 or the rubber band 31, I may provide apad 31 on one side of the stop as clearly shown in Fig. 8, and secure the saidpad to the stop in any desired manner. [In Fig. 8, the stop 26 is shown as having a dovetailed slot adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped projection formed on the pad 31 In Fig. 9, the pad 3lis shown as being carried by the pawl 20 which is provided with a: dovetailed slot adapted to receive the tapering sides of the pad 31. I

c'When the pawl 20 is'in engagement with the retaining shoulder of the spindle the resilient pad 31 is disengaged from the pawl *to permit free movement of'the pawl into and out of the groove 23, but when the pawl is out of the groove 23 an'd'the tip 22 thereof is resting on the plain surface 25 of the spindle the pad 31 exerts suficient pressure onthe pawl to prevent free movement'of'the pawl between the spindle 10 andthe stop 26.

Aslight space is provided between the pad 31 and the stop 26 in the preferred form of the invention as shown in Figs. 1 to 6 to provide tolerance for any slighteceentricity of the'roller or pawls relative to the axis of the spindle, however, such tolerance may be prosuch as shown in the'modified form of theinvention, Figs. 7, Sand '9, of a very soft pliable rubber.

From the above description, it will be noted that by providing a resilient element intermediate the outer edge of the pawl and the inner surface of the pawl stop and which tends to maintain the tip of the pawl in firm contact with theplain surface of the spindle, when the pawl is not in'engagem-ent with the retaining shoulder of the spindle, I prevent the undesirable noise ordinarily attending the disengaged pawls of the curtains of a moving vehicle. I

I claim:

1. In window shade mechanism, comprisand adapted for I in its surface,

.inga shade roller, with said roller ing a shade roller, a spindle axially aligned with said roller and having a plain surface and a retaining shoulder thereon, apawl carried by the roller adapted to ride on said surface and to engage said shoulder, the combination therewith of means for maintaining said pawl in contact with said surface when disengaged from said shoulder.

2 In window shade mechanism, comprising a shade roller, a spindle axially aligned with said roller and having a groove formed in its surface, a pawl mounted on said roller and adapted formovement toward and away from said spindle, to enterthe groove, and

to ride on the said surface thereof, the combination therewith of means for maintaining the said pawl in contact'with the said surface when disengaged from said groove.

3. In window shade mechanism, comprising a shade roller, a spindle axially aligned with said roller and having a groove formed in its surface, a pawl mounted on said roller movement toward and away from said spindle, to enter the groove, and to ride on the said surface thereof, the combination therewith of resilient means for maintaining the said pawl in contact with the said surface'when disengaged from said groove.

4:. In window shade mechanism, comprising a shade roller, a spindle axially aligned with said roller and having a groove formed a pawl mounted on said roller and adapted for movement toward and away from said spindle, to enter the grooove, and ride onthe said surface thereof, and a stop to limit the movement of said pawl in a direction away from said spindle, the combination therewith of resilient means for preventing free movement of the pawl between the spindle and the stop when disengaged from said groove.

5. In window shade mechanism, comprismg a shade roller, a spindle axially aligned with said roller and having a groove formed in its surface, a pawl mounted on said roller and adapted for movement toward and away from said spindle, toenter the groove and to ride on the said surface, and a stop to limit the movement of said pawl in a direction away from said spindle, the combination therewith of resilient means located between the stop and the pawl for preventing engagement of the pawl with thestop when disen gaged from said groove. 6. In window shade mechanism, comprisa spindle axially aligned and having a groove formed in its surface, a pawl mounted on said roller and adapted formovement toward and awav from said spindle, to enter the ride on the said surface, and a stop to limit groove, and to the movement of said pawl in a direction away from said spindle, the combination therewith of a resilient the stop and the pawl for preventing direct pad located between I direction away combination therewlth of a en agement between the pawl andthe stop 7 when disengaged from said groove.

I 7. In window-shade mechanism, comprising a shade roller, a spindle axially aligned with said: roller and having a groove formed in its surface, apawl mounted on said roller and adapted for movement toward and away andadapted for movement toward and away from said spindle, to enter the groove, and to ride on the said. surface, and a stop adapted normally to limit the movementof said pawl from said spindle, the lug composed of resilient material and projecting from said roller intermediate said stop and said pawl for maintaining the pawl in firm contact with the said surface of the spindle and to prevent direct engagement of the'pawl with the stop, when said pawl is disengaged from" said groove.

7 9; In window shade mechanism, comprising a shade roller, a supporting spindle axially aligned with he roller and provided with-a groove in its outer surface, a pawl operatively mounted on the end of the roller in a plane substantially at right angles to -ly aligned with the the axis of the roller and adapted to ride on the surface of the spindle and to enter the groove therein, and a stop for limiting the outward movement of the pawl relative to the spindle, the combination therewith of a resilent plug mounted in an opening formed in the end'of the roller intermediate the outer edge of'th'e pawl and the said stopand eX- tending outwardly from the end of the roller between the said pawl and said stop.

. 10. In window shade mechanism, comprising a shaderoller, a supporting spindle axialroller and provided with a groovein its outer surface, a pawl operatively mounted on the end of the roller in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the roller and adapted to ride on the surface of the spindle and to enter the groove therein, and a stop for limiting the outward mewement of the pawl relative to the spindle, the combination therewith of a resilient plug mounted in anopening formed in the end of the roller intermediate the outer edge of the pawl and the saidstop and extending-outwardly fro-m the end of the roller-between thesaid pawl and said stop in a position engaging said pawl when the pawl'is disengaged from said groove.

ing

'mounted in an opening in a shade roller, axially aligned with the rollerand provided 11. In window shade mechanism, comprisa shade roller, a. supporting. spindle axially aligned with the roller and provided with a'g'roove in its-outer surface, a pawl .operatively mounted on the end of the roller in a plane substantially. atright angles to the axis of the'roller and adapted to ride on the surface ofthe spindle and toenter the groove therein, and a stop for limiting the outwardmovement of the pawl relative to the spindle, the 'combination therewithof a resilent plug mounted in an opening formed in the end of the roller intermediate the outer "edge of the pawl and the'said stop and extending outwardly from the end of the roller between the said pawl and said stop in a position spaced from the stop and engaging said pawl when the pawlis disengaged from said groove.

12. In window shade mechanism, comprising a shade roller, a supporting spindle axially aligned with the roller and provided with a groove in its outer surface, a pawl operatively mounted on the end of the roller in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the roller and adapted to ride on the surface of the spindle and to enter the groove therein, and a stop for limiting'the outward movement of the pawl relative to the spindle, the combination therewith of a resilent plug formed in the end of the roller intermediate the outer edge of the pawl and thesaid stop and extendingoutwardly from the end of the roller between the said pawl and said stop in aposition spaced from the pawl andthe stop when the pawl is engaged in said groove and adapted to engage the pawl when said pawl is disengaged from said groove and riding the surface of the spindle.

13. In window shade mechanism, comprisa supporting spindle with a groove in its outer'surface, a'pawl operatively mounted in a plane substantially at right angles to the axis of the roller and adapted to'ride on the surface'of the spindle and to enter the groove therein, and a stop for limiting the outward movement of the pawl relative to the spindle, the combination therewith of a resilent plug mounted in an opening formed in the end ofthe roller intermediate the outer edge of the pawl and the said stop and extending outwardly from the end of the roller between the said pawl and said stop in a position spaced from the pawl and the stop when the pawl is engaged in said groove and adapted to engage the pawl when said pawl is disengaged from said groove and riding the surface of the spindlev and adapted to engage both the pawl and the stop to prevent direct engagement of the pawl with the stop.

EDWARD REUKAUF, JR.

on the end of the roller 

